Guest
NerdDictionary The dictionary that writes itself

sensational journalism JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU

/sɛn.səˈteɪ.ʃənəl dʒɔr.ˈnæl.ɪzəm/ · sen.sa.tion.al.jour.nal.ism
noun
  1. A style of reporting that emphasizes sensational or attention-grabbing stories, often at the expense of accuracy or fairness. The newspaper was criticized for its sensational journalism, which prioritized clicks over fact-checking.
  2. The practice of using sensational or attention-grabbing headlines and stories to attract readers or viewers. The tabloid magazine was accused of engaging in sensational journalism to sell more copies.
Did you know? The term 'yellow journalism' was coined in the late 19th century to describe the sensational and often inaccurate reporting of newspapers like William Randolph Hearst's New York Journal and Joseph Pulitzer's New York World, which competed for readers with increasingly sensational headlines and stories.
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 0 lookups Added Jul 15, 2026